Category: Editorials

In-depth commentaries on specific topics, such as Armored Core, gaming, and life in general

Armored Core E-Sports

Imagine that Armored Core could be played professionally as a recognized e-sport.

Imagine players (Ravens!) duking it out on stage to a massive crowd, and with a live commentated broadcast for television and the internet. There’d be organized teams complete with coaches and support staff and matching uniforms and gear from sponsors. Hordes of screaming fan girls (and boys) would be lined up for an autograph or photo of their favorite players. Ravens would be traveling the world to play on tournaments with lewd prize pools at stake.

Well imagine no more, as all that is actually already happening…

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An Unkindness of Ravens

A Nest for Ravens

Armored Core has always been something of a niche catering to the already-niche genre of mecha simulation. The Armored Core trilogy for the PS1 provided mech fans everywhere with the rare chance to build and battle with their very own customized mechs. As players got to know the game better, their skills improved along with their ability to design ACs. It got to the point where bashing the AI rankers wasn’t enough any more and nothing other than an equally skilled human opponent would suffice for competition. But as most AC players surely realized, finding people to play against, let alone skilled ones, was just as challenging as learning to play Armored Core itself.

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Names in Armored Core: Nine-Ball

The Essence of Armored Core

Anyone familiar with the game of pool will be familiar with the “nine-ball” format. Unlike other pool formats, nine-ball is generally played one-on-one, and remains to be a popular event in major pool sporting tournaments. The primary appeal of a nine-ball game is its mano-a-mano format, offering spectators a duel of fates between two competitors whether it is in the spirit of friendly competition, or bitter rivalries. It is this very same format and emotionally charged atmosphere that surround Armored Core’s defining attribute – the arena.

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Names in Armored Core: Noblesse Oblige

When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required. – Luke 12:48

Pilot: R. Leonhardt (AC4), Gerard Gendelin (Armored Core: For Answer)
First Appearance: Armored Core 4

I feel it is appropriate to do a background check on one of the more recent icons to appear in the Armored Core franchise, the Noblesse Oblige, in light of the announcement of its upcoming model kit.

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How Soon is Now?

Ah, childhood. The days when the minds of the young are so easily influenced by their environment. From experience, I’d say that there are two basic types of kids: the ones who stayed at school after class playing sports and the ones who rushed home immediately after to catch their favorite cartoon shows. The former would later join varsity teams while most of the latter (particularly those born in the 80’s) were weaned on shows like Transformers, Robotech, Gundam, Saber Rider, M.A.S.K, Voltron and the like.

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